GLASGOW AIRPORT FLIGHTPATH FUND FLIES PAST £550,000 LANDMARK

Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund has reached a significant milestone after awarding more than £550,000 to over 150 community groups, charities and innovative projects since it was established in 2010.

The FlightPath Fund was set up to ensure surrounding communities share in the airport’s success and in 2012 it made awards totalling more than £200,000.

As the FlightPath Fund has grown in scope, an ever increasing and diverse range of organisations are applying for support, from small community-based groups to national charities delivering local projects.

The main focus is on the communities in the four local authority areas of Renfrewshire, Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire which lie under the flightpath. Elected representatives from each local authority sit on the FlightPath Fund Board which meets every two months.

While funding is generally targeted in three key areas – education, employment and the environment – exceptions are occasionally made for worthy projects in other areas, such as sport.

The Fund provided £40,000 to the charity Scottish Business in the Community to support a new project which introduces young people to the career opportunities available in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Both Renfrew High and Castlehead High participated in this project.

The Fund also awarded £50,000 to the community departments of both Celtic and Rangers football clubs to expand educational youth football programmes in Clydebank and Drumchapel. Local schoolchildren were invited for a kickabout on the airport’s runway to launch the initiative.

Archie Hunter, a retired chartered accountant formerly in charge of KPMG’s Scotland practice, is the Chair of the FlightPath Fund. He said: “To reach this milestone in just under three years is a fantastic achievement and it is testament to the hard work of everyone involved. We receive a huge number of applications and it is always a fascinating challenge to find the most worthy projects.

“It is hugely rewarding to watch charities and communities groups prosper and go from strength-to-strength as a result of the funding they have received from the FlightPath Fund.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, added: “As one of the largest businesses and employers in the West of Scotland, we have a responsibility to support the communities we serve. We are grateful for the support of all our board members who work tirelessly to ensure our funding is targeted in the right areas and that it ultimately helps deliver a lasting legacy for the communities around our airport.”

Funding is drawn from the Communities Trust, charity collection boxes in the terminal, and a donation from Glasgow Airport based on annual financial performance.

Other recipients have included:

Loud n Proud (£7,500) – A Paisley-based youth charity which has established itself at the forefront of the development of young musicians in Scotland.The funding was used to improve access and support for young people from across Renfrewshire to get involved in and participate in the various elements of music by providing a workshop space. Young people now have the opportunity to learn the basics of playing an instrument, how to perform live on stage and work with PA equipment.

CHILDREN 1st (£4,600) – A charity which helps young victims of domestic, physical or sexual abuse received a cash injection from Glasgow Airport. CHILDREN 1st was awarded £4,621 to support its Paisley-based Renfrewshire Recovery from Abuse and Trauma service, which supports children aged from 5 to 18 who have been affected by either domestic, physical or sexual abuse. The service is funded jointly by Renfrewshire Council and CHILDREN 1st. However the donation from the FlightPath Fund enabled the charity to enhance the service significantly. Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: “CHILDREN 1st does outstanding work to help children who need our support. Renfrewshire Council has recognised the importance of the charity’s work and it’s very encouraging that Glasgow Airport’s well-established community programme also contributed significant funding to help young people across Renfrewshire benefit from this vital service.”

Renfrewshire Schools Dragons’ Den (£1,500) – Budding entrepreneurs from eight nursery, primary and secondary schools competed in the latest staging of Renfrewshire Council’s Dragons’ Den competition. A distinguished judging panel of business dragons, including John McConnell of Glasgow Airport’s commercial team, gathered at the final of the event held at Reid Kerr College to listen to presentations from the competing teams. Each team was trying to secure funding for their ideas from the dragons, with half of the total £3,000 in prize funds awarded by the FlightPath Fund. The team from St Andrew’s Academy in Paisley were overall winners and also took the Secondary Section Trophy for their proposal ‘The Chill Zone.’ Established last August to assist new pupils adapt to the school, the zone provides an area where they can meet new friends, do their homework and play computer games.